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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Let's Hear it for Jewelry, One More Time!

Not to dwell, but there are some more ideas I have found that I want to share with you. On My Little Happy Place, Alison G. also uses jewelry in unexpected places, like living rooms. Check out Mary's Reveal . So, why not try it around my own home? Here is what I came up with:

I love this coral necklace with the big "flower" from my Mom. A necklace made for me out of pasta from my son :) is also on display along with a rosary made of dyed seeds and a cross made from coconut given to me by a new friend. She knows me well already! The pic is of my BF and I in HIGH SCHOOL. HA! Moving on..
Another cool necklace given to me by my friend from Mexico on the side table waiting to be painted Coral. And lastly, lets not forget my key chain:)
I added a cocktail ring I found at Target and hardly ever wear. I like it and it has lasted longer than the tassel so far. :)
What do you think? Are you going to try some jewelry around the house? They, too, are works of art.
Have a good one! And we will move on from jewelry next time:).

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Inspiration Board

This story starts back before I had kids and was teaching math at an all-girls high school. I had worked the summer before at Nordstrom and had a pretty good professional wardrobe. The students appreciated it. ;)

After having my first child, I decided I wanted a change, and change I did. I got my hair cut short and very layered. I am sure you can tell from the picture that I have very thick and curly hair. I wanted funky, and I funky was what I got. ha! I also got some practical shoes and didn't pay too much attention to my clothes. This change was not for the better and was pointed out to me by some former students! It was a good and honest critique.

So, what is a mom to do? Since then, I have figured out what works for me, but I think the simplest and easiest way to make a t-shirt and jeans go from blah to cool can be jewelry ( I learned this from my friend Lourdes who is the best-dressed mom I know).



And hence, my inspiration board, kind of like the ones I see that interior decorators use. Actually, I took this idea from one named Lauren Liess ( her link is on this page for Pure Style Home so I won't repeat). It serves two purposes. One to put my necklaces in front of me so that I get more creative and two, to make the wall look prettier than it did. Ms. Liess has this set-up in her bedroom, mine is in the bathroom.
Yes, sometimes we can't wear necklaces because they will get broken, so how about a big plastic bracelet? I want to share my love for World Market with you all in case you have not discovered it for home goods, art, and really inexpensive and cool jewelry!

Have a good night and have fun with your inspiration board if you do one!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Love!

I took this about 12 years ago in Venice. Doesn't it just speak volumes? xoxo

Friday, February 10, 2012

MY 2 CENTS



Lately, articles on motherhood have been passed around. These have aimed at honestly recognizing the difficulties and the blessings of parenting. I enjoy these and appreciate their honesty. However, there is one critique I will make, and this is coming from someone who experiences those same joys and challenges: these articles largely look at having children by how they affect parents, which is logical given our contemporary way of thinking. But, there are other dimensions worth seeing. Kids have their own perspective of our relationship with them. This perspective will stick with them into adulthood. Let's not forget they are as real a human being as we are.;) 
       If, however, we stick with the point of view of how motherhood affects us, let's turn the prism slightly and see something different. We are not only shaping our kid's character (or forming our kids if you prefer). Often times, we only see formation as one-sided. Rather, they are forming us, too. This is so much more than merely affecting us and making us happy or challenged. This formation is not active, but happens by mere fact of their existence, and our relationship to them. Each child's uniqueness forms us as well. They each draw certain traits out of us, traits we need to be developing and growing. Why? Because this is what is meant to happen. We only become more beautiful the more we are able to serve. And by serving, I do not mean waiting on, I mean being a mother or father and all that takes. The growth begins when we accept this and give our assent to it each day.
         If you have ever read The Great Divorce, CS Lewis paints a beautiful image of super humans after death- strong, beautiful giants, if you will, who exist in stark contrast to those still living. I think this is the formation we are getting.
         But this forming is hard because we want to make ourselves the focus- it is there in each of us. So lets look at another example. Have you ever ridden a strong, stubborn horse? They may just take the bit in their teeth and there is no bending them to your will. I distinctly remember being carried off at the mercy of JT, a strong quarter horse who I was riding with only a halter (no bit). We went flying wherever he wanted to go. He was that stubborn. Yes, flying is fun, but I wanted to do the steering. We, too, can be stubborn. We don't want to be stretched. Remember those first exhausting days and nights with your first infant? But that is the point. We have to see this as a beautiful opportunity, or it will crush us, and we will live on Starbucks, chocolate, and American Idol. ( I am not suggesting no balance in life. I am a great advocate for it. ) But, if we let our parental relationship with our kids form us, and not just appreciate the blessings and deal with the hardships, horse and rider are one, and it is a magical thing ( see Mom and Dad- all those years of lessons have paid off ;).                                                                                                                                                              
       As Blessed John Paul II said, we live in relationships which define us, we don't just have them. This is not something we readily see this in our time, which is one of the crushing pitfalls of individualism. Let's say yes each day to allowing ourselves to be formed. Then we might be able to count ourselves among the strong, beautiful super humans of Lewis' dreams.